Blown Insulation

Blown Insulation Translates to Savings!

Nowadays, new home owners can generally feel assured of well-insulated construction, greatly increasing residential energy efficiency. However, with older homes, insulation often presents challenging efficiency hurdles. It’s a hindrance, when warm air, greatly desired in the winter, readily escapes, and then, comes flowing back inside, during the summer, compromising air-conditioned, chilled air.

What can be done to soften the blow of the high energy bills resulting from this uncooperative, warm air? One solution, instead of shoving sheets of itchy, pink batting into closed walls, is to use blown insulation. Targeted at existing attic spaces and walls, it offers an alternative well worth consideration. Properly installed, it can turn an older, energy draining home into a more efficient model, ready to face the seasons, minus leaky drafts and unfavorable heat losses.

Interestingly, not only does blown insulation present an alternative to living with a “draining situation,” but for those “game” enough, it can become a do-it-yourself project. The outcome, a 20-30% reduction in heating bills, may be worth it! Professionals can be hired to do the job, as well, with time, methods and materials being important deciding factors.

For do-it-yourself enthusiasts, fiberglass or cellulose materials are advisable when the insulation will be blown in. Moreover, the equipment needed for either choice can, usually, be rented from a local equipment source. What, though, are the main differences between fiberglass and cellulose as insulating materials?

Fiberglass-based “blow-in” insulation is advantageous for attics and hard-to-reach spaces. It insulates well if properly applied, technique being the key! For example, fiberglass “overblowing” occurs when it is applied incorrectly, with enough material used to reach the desired depth, but with less than what’s adequate to achieve the proper R-value, as designated by the manufacturer. The R-value, used to measure insulation’s resistance to heat flow and loss, is very significant. It necessitates that the manufacturer’s instructions, specifying depth and density recommendations, are heeded, ensuring an outcome with the desired R-value.

Cellulose, the other popular blown insulation material, consists of up to 85% recycled newsprint. The balance is composed of a boric acid salt and ammonium sulfate mixture. This mixture acts as a flame retardant, while simultaneously serving to deter bugs, rodents, and mold. While wet cellulose can be applied by spraying, it is better suited to unfinished spaces, with exposed studs, and professional application. Sprayed into existing walls, moisture poses problems, as it can cause damage to the wall finish before drying is complete.

Dry cellulose, conversely, is the preferred form of cellulose to be used for the blown insulation method. Composed of tiny particles that efficiently fill corners and voids, it also has the distinct advantage of not being itchy for the person installing it. There is one main drawback, and that is caused by the nature of the cellulose dust particles. They are so fine and slow in settling, that goggles and respirator masks are necessary for the sake of health and safety.

All in all, blown insulation options are clearly varied, in terms of materials, methods, and installers. However, isn’t it reassuring to know that household energy costs can be brought under better control with a little firsthand knowledge?